Ventilate Home Before Occupancy (Indoor airPLUS Requirement)

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (Revision 07)

Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
Exhibit 1, Item 6) Certified under EPA Indoor airPLUS.

EPA Indoor airPLUS

7.2 Ventilation after Material Installation. Ventilate the home with outside air at the highest rate and duration practical, meeting ventilation requirements for outdoor air flow and humidity control (see Item 4.5):

• During and shortly after installing products that are known sources of contaminants (e.g., cabinets, carpet padding and painting), AND
• During the period between finishing and occupancy.

Advisory: If whole house ventilation cannot be scheduled prior to occupancy, advise the buyer to operate the ventilation system at the highest rate it can provide during the first few months of occupancy, meeting the above requirements.

Additional Notes:

To protect the health of home occupants and construction crews, select the lowest volatile organic compound (VOC)-containing products available. Even when selecting low-VOC certified paints, coatings, cabinets, carpet, and composite wood, these products may not be 100% emissions-free. In building materials, VOCs tend to be emitted at the highest levels when the materials are new, with emissions lessening over time. Therefore, to protect construction teams and future occupants, ventilate the home during and shortly after installing products that are known sources of contaminants (e.g., cabinets, carpet padding, paint, and other finishes). Also ventilate during the time between construction completion and occupancy. See the guides Certified Low-Emission Composite Wood Products, Certified Low/No Emission Interior Paints and Finishes, and Certified Low-Emission Carpet Adhesives and Carpet for more information.

Contributors to this Guide:

Home Innovations Research Labs, lead for the Partnership for Home Innovation (PHI), a DOE Building America Research Team